The Berrigan community was saddened and shocked when much loved community member Brian Chisholm passed on May 31, aged 85.
What many did not know until this week is that Mr Chisholm was just two weeks away from being bestowed one of the country’s greatest honours.
On Monday he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community of Berrigan in the King’s Birthday Honours.
While he is not here to mark the occasion, his family said he was aware the announcement was coming.
The former South Melbourne Swans player was known and loved around the Berrigan community, particularly its sporting clubs.
He was a life member of the Berrigan football and cricket clubs, having an impressive 21 year playing career with the Berrigan Saints.
Mr Chisholm served on several boards and committees including the Murray League football board and tribunal and the Berrigan Sportsground Management Committee, where he was groundsman for 42 years.
He was also a former member of the Berrigan Show Committee and the Berrigan Golf Club.
In 2018, Mr Chisholm was awarded the Australian Football League Volunteers Recognition award.
In 1999 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal.
Cricket Australia, the governing body of cricket in Australia, recognised Mr Chisholm’s OAM on Monday, congratulating all members of the Australian cricket family who have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2023 for “their contribution to cricket and the community”.
Mr Chisholm was a former top scorer in the Victorian Country Week cricket competition.
After his death, Mr Chisholm was honoured by the Berrigan Saints who formed a guard of honour and observed a minute of silence to pay their respects.
“Brian played 230 games as a Saint, served 25 years on the committee and nine years on the MFL board,” club secretary Kim Arnold said.
“He is a committed family man and community member who will be sadly missed. Rest in peace, Brian.”
Mr Chisholm’s daughter Nicole Forge said the family was completely heartbroken and shocked by his death.
“Dad passed away suddenly at home on May 31. He was a loving husband to Gwen and much loved father to Wayne and me.
“His grandchildren Dylan, Tegan, Jayden, Alexa, Hector and Sybilla are all so proud of him,” Nicole said.
Mr Chisholm’s grandson Dylan told the Southern Riverina News his ‘pa’ was aware of the Order of Australia medal.
“He was told about a month ago and just a few days before he passed away he officially ticked off what could be released to the media,” he said proudly.
“Pa was born in Finley and grew up on a farm in Nyora, on the Oaklands Rd.”
Dylan said his grandpa wasn’t allowed to play sport until he turned 16, but as soon as he did, he went to the Berrigan Saints, where he played for the firsts.
It wasn’t long before the South Melbourne Swans spotted him and he went to Melbourne to play in the VFL.
“Reading clippings from the time, he must have been a good player - he was described as the best fullback in the league at that time,” Dylan said.
Mr Chisholm was well supported by his wife Gwen, who the family say is just as deserving of the OAM for her countless hours spent at the footy club canteen as well supporting Brian with all his volunteer work around Berrigan.
Gwen was awarded life membership of the Berrigan Football Netball Club in 1993 and also received the AFL’s volunteer recognition award in 2018.
Mr Chisholm’s funeral service will be held today at 1pm, at St Columba’s Parish Church.